Sonoma - Your Favorite Wines
 

My husband and I will be in Sonoma October 18-21st. With input from razzle, we are staying at the Healdsburg Inn.

I've been reading everyone's winery recommendations re: great views, picnics, friendly tasting experience, off the beaten path,etc. All of these have been helpful.
Now, I'd love to hear your favorite wine.
I'm interested in going to wineries where I can buy or have shipped home to Florida (yes - you can ship to Fl. now). Especially the boutiques that I can't get at home.
Interest in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - $30ish price range.
Thank you for your suggestions!

Linda

In Healdsburg, I really like the Davis Family Pinots, and the LaCrema Pinots. LaCrema recently opened up a tasting room on the main drag.

wineroad.com and visitwineroad.com are a couple of excellent guides.

I also liked the Merlot at Lambert Bridge. They also have a Sav Blanc garlic mayo that's pretty good. ((b))

The two I really enjoyed in Sonoma were Viansa (the owners are related to the Sebastiani family) and Kline. You can buy picnic food at Viansa and it looked fabulous. There are tables outside overlooking the beautiful vineyard--almost looks like Tuscany. They also have a restaurant in the town and the food was great there. The Kline family is interesting in that the grandfather was Jacquzzi of the whirlpool tub. Enjoy your trip!

Budman:

Sav Blanc garlic mayo?

Linda

I believe nini is probably referring to Cline (not Kline) right down the street from Viansa. Sonoma is great for Chards, not so much for Pinots. Try Imagery, Quivera, Preston, Ledson, J. There are a number of posts on here re: favorites. If you like Zins at all, there are a lot of good ones to be had in Sonoma.

I should probably clarify that we have time to spend one day in Russian River Valley, one North of Healdsburg and one Sonoma and near North
L

I'll have to disagree with the statement that "Sonoma is great for Chards not so much for Pinots."

JMHO, leading edge and highly-regarded Pinot producers, including Rochioli, Williams Sellyem, Kosta Browne, Loring, and Siduri are all making use of Sonoma fruit (among others) to craft some of the best Pinot in the country today.

Yes, sav blanc garlic mayo. I'm having a smoked turkey & swiss with this great stuff. We like it so much, we order it from them on their website. ((b))

Our Favorites in Russian River/Healdsburg area are:
Gary Farrell
J. Rochioli
La Crema (far from botique but still great)
Davis Family
Dutton-Goldfield Winery
Sebastopool/Dutton Estate
Hartford Family

South of you in north Sonoma Valley near Glen Ellen and Kenwood are a few good finds that do great Pinot and Chardonnay

For Botique try:
Eric Ross
Navillus Birney

Some Most) of these tip the balance of $30 for sure but they are certainly worth a stop for the tasting and some of the wines are in your price range certainly...

I'm a big Siduri fan but as a general rule Sonoma is not the best place to find great Pinots. I didn't say there weren't any there...but you'll have to search a little harder than for Zins or Chards.

Thanks, everyone for the feedback.

I have an opened bottle of La Crema in the fridge right now.
Montysc - Some great sounding suggestions (I've looked at some of the websites)

SAnParis - where do you consider the best Pinots from?

Linda

Gary Farrel is a must an absolute must!

SAP, I agree with your choice of Siduri.
If you ever see Porta Grand Reserve PN from CL's Bio Bio Valley, do buy some.
The '04 is gone, but at about $10.50 US here it was a steal.
Spend many hours looking for the monumental '05.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

Great pinot at Papapietro-Perry. GREAT! I like Rosenblum tasting room in Healdsburg Square. Wilson winery has awesome huge award winners. Amphora loads of fun, good wines. Viansa is no longer owned by the family- they divorced and sold it. I dumped their wine club cause I think the wines are pathetic now. They still have a neat gift shop, though. Gloria Ferrer for sprkling and views. Roshambo for a fun and funky place. Foppiano for a great petite syrah and fun place. I'm not into Chard, but Ferrari-Carano has a dynamite reserve. J maakes a good one, too, and I like the food pairing concept there.

I have my Sonoma County wine map out and have been underlining, circling, and making notes. Yesterday I joined Gary Farrell premier crew.

montysc - Hartford Family is res. only?
Is it worth the visit?

L

In addition to Lambert Bridge's sav blanc garlic mayo, do try their mustards-
we picked up a jar last Wed with our
Liquid Assets Club shipment-chardonnay jalapeno-yummy !

There are superb Pinot Noir's around Healdsburg ! I second Pam's suggestion of Gary Farrell and will add:
Thumbprint ( My personal fave find of 2006)
Holdredge
Everett Ridge
MacMurray Ranch
De La Montoya
Davis
Just a few for you to try.

If you are near Sonoma town-seek out Castle for Pinot. Run from Viansa.

The 2006 Sonoma County Harvest Fair winners should be announced before your visit-I highly recommend the Friday night event October 6-anyone want to meet us there ?
:)

R5

I really just love Buena Vista winery, which is really close to downtown Sonoma area. They have a beautiful location (tours dialy from 10am to 5pm) and great people working there. They also have a fabulous Pinot Noir that is in the affordable price range.

"montysc - Hartford Family is res. only?
Is it worth the visit?"

Well I would say it depends on your schedule - the winery grounds and the building are great, and the wines are very nice. If you have the time and are going to be near them (on the way to or from Gary Farrell for example) then it would be worth it. I like the wine, but with all the wineries people are adding to your list you may have plenty to try to visit already. I usually visit them during an event so they are already open!

Pinots, to me = France or Oregon, although they make some good ones in the south central part of Cal. as well.

ttt for R5